Scotland`s War Memorials

Lanarkshire

I have a large collection of War Memorial images, both in the UK and abroad and this section is due to be revamped with memorials listed in their respective regional locations etc* This page covers War Memorials in the county of Lanarkshire, The City of Glasgow, historically part of Lanarkshire, has its own section.

Intro etc *

Carluke

​This is Carluke`s main war memorial, one of two civic war memorials in the town, and is located in the Market Square. It comprises a lion holding a shield with an embossed Latin cross at the top of a pillar which is supported by an octagonal three-stepped base. Rather than listing the names of those who died, the monument is inscribed with the names of countries, battles or campaigns in which `All from this district fought and endured 1914-1918`. The WW2 inscription commemorates `Those who served and sacrificed 1939-1945.` The locations / battles listed, all related to the Great War, are Somme, Ypres, Italy, Cambrai, Jutland, Gallipoli, Egypt, Givenchy, Palestine, East Africa, Mesopotamia, Zeebruge, Mons and Falkland.

Another larger memorial (not shown) bearing names of the Fallen is located in Carluke`s Old Churchyard. It was unveiled in June 1920 following an address given by the Rev F.M. Hauxwell, Minister of the parish, who paid a tribute to the dead heroes. The unveiling ceremony was performed by Mrs W. Stewart and Mrs M. Murray, who both lost sons.

Two commemorative stones also stand in the square. "In Memory of the Men of the Lanarkshire Yeomanry who faithfully served their Country over the years". "We`re no awa tae bide awa." (to edit*)

​​The other stone in the Square bears plaques honouring famous military men of Carluke: William Angus V.C.- Awarded 1915; Thomas Caldwell V.C. - Awarded 1918; Donald Cameron V.C. - Awarded 1943 and Major General William Roy - Founder of the Ordnance Survey.

Hamilton

Chatelherault Country Park

This Normandy Veterans Association memorial stands within the grounds of Chatelherault Country Park, near Hamilton. It commemorates not only the men who fell on D-Day itself but also those who were lost in the subsequent Battle for Normandy.

The phrase `Blessent mon coeur d`une monotone` (Wounds my heart with monotonous langour) surrounds the crest. This was part of a famous coded message broadcast by the BBC to the French Resistance to alert them that the Invasion of mainland Europe would begin within 24 hours. There is another Normandy Veterans` Memorial outside the Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow`s Kelvingrove Park. *replace image w high-res version*

Holytown

​Holytown is a small village outside Motherwell in North Lanarkshire. Like many industrial communities in the late 19th and 20th centuries, football was a major recreational event, not only for the players but with and local supporters. Nowadays, Holytown Colts are the only team and play at Amateur level. One talented footballer from Holytown was Harry McShane who won the First Division in England with Manchester United in 1951-52 and then played for various clubs in and around the north-west of England. He was the father of the British TV actor Ian McShane, best known for the title role in Lovejoy and playing saloon owner Al Swearengen in the US TV series Deadwood.

The village War Memorial stands at east end of Holytown Main Street beside a large roundabout where the A775, B799 and A723 meet. The inscription on the memorial`s granite base is inscribed `In Memory of the Men of Holytown District who fell in the Great War 1914 - 1919.`with `Their Name Liveth For Evermore.`on the lower block. The figure of a life-sized kilted soldier was a creation of Scott & Rae (Sculptors) with the memorial assembled by James Paterson (Builder) at a cost of £1,160 which was funded by public, private and corporate donations. The memorial was unveiled by Alexander Whitelaw on 9 October 1921 with a dedication by Rev J.D. Dykes.

Two panels bear the names of the Fallen from the First World War with another listing fourteen names from the Second World War and one from Korea.

Wishaw

Cambusnethan

​This memorial gateway is located within Cambusnethan Old and Morningside Parish Church. Cambusnethan is a large suburb on the eastern edge of Wishaw, North Lanarkshire. This parish church, designed by Thomas Burns, dates from 1839 and replaced the now roofless and ruinous 18th century church on the opposite side of the road which was in a dilapidated and dangerous condition by 1837.

​This panel on one of the pillars supporting the archway bears the following inscription: `In memory of all parishioners who fighting nobly, nobly fell. In honour also of those who served and of God`s mercy returned`. ​Another panel reads `This monument was erected to God in loving memory of those of the congregation who gave their lives and whose names are here recorded. In loving memory also of their comrades who served and sacrificed. Their name liveth forevermore`.

Waterloo

​This roadside cross in the village of Waterloo just outside Wishaw, was erected in 2006 and commemorates the men of the district who died during both World Wars. This supplements two plaques in the village`s Memorial Hall which also honours those service personnel who died during the First and Second World War. The local community decided that a more prominent external memorial would be more appropriate and would create a focal point on Remembrance Day.

Additional images and information can be found on my blog, Clydeside Images.com. Further War Memorial and Military History content, not exclusively relating to Scotland, may also feature in the galleries of individual countries on this site. Also, check out my Stock Photography Archive for even more shots.